Everyone's friend: The internet

This post is dedicated to two things on the Web - I appreciate your support in participation in one or both of them :-)

First, a plea from me on my own behalf. (Apologies if you've received an email about this from me already!)

I'm participating in my sixth Race for the Cure on Oct. 4. I've done the Race at least once every year since 2004, and I've done it in Kalamazoo, Pittsburgh and St. Petersburg. This year, I'm running the 5K - something I've never done before. I've set a goal of $600, and I'm more than halfway there, but I need your help.

Any amount helps - and I appreciate the support! Donate by following this link.


And second, a request from me on behalf of a coworker.

Jim is a copy editor at the St. Petersburg Times and is also the most passionate foodie I've ever met. He's a finalist in a Mario Batali grilling contest. To advance to the next round of voting, he needs high enough ratings on his video to place him in the top three candidates. His recipe? A delicious Pig-Wrapped Pig-Stuffed Pig. (If you watch the video, you'll see why it's called that!) Here are the instructions Jim provides, and I can attest that the process is simple and painless:
"If you haven't voted yet, here is the process: click the link below -- preferably from explorer or safari if you have one of them. you'll have to do a fairly non-invasive registration, opt out of some ads, then go to my video (file name: pork-upload.mov; user name jawj1) and give me five stars by clicking on the fifth star under my video. done.

well, actually, then you can go tell everyone you know to do the same.

voting goes through sept. 29, but don't wait! vote now!

http://grillingcontest.mariobatali.com/kickapps/
_pork-uploadmov/video/273891/27485.html"

So, if you've got a spare minute on the computer, please register and vote for Jim. Thanks!